Japanese Language & Culture

MOCHI-TSUKI – JAPANESE NEW YEAR MOCHI

Mochi-tsuki, or pounding rice to make mochi (rice cakes), is an important traditional event in preparation for the New Year in Japan. Japanese people believe eating mochi on New Year will bring good health and longevity for the whole year.

On Japanese culture day, Ms Kaori – our Japanese teacher and some Japanese parents came to Aurora to show children how to make traditional Japanese mochi. All children were so excited by the hammering of the sticky rice and delighted in tasting the delicious treats afterwards.

STORY TELLING AROUND THE WORLD – JAPAN

During Book Week, the Japanese teacher led an interactive reading of the origins of the Japanese zodiac, followed by an origami session to create a cat or rabbit. Children enjoyed the workshop and also learned the reason why cats were not on the Japanese zodiac.